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Mr. McCartney made you want to learn everyday. Whether the material was difficult for you or not he inspired you to do your best and did everything in his power to help you learn.

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Thoughtful, energetic, caring and capable...A wonderful mentor and role model for young adults.

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Thoughtful, energetic, caring and capable...A wonderful mentor and role model for young adults.

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Mr. McCartney was the best teacher I ever had. Not only did he help me grow my love of math, but he was truly a mentor for the type of person I wanted to be. No matter the day, good or bad, I always looked forward to his class. I felt supported, encouraged, and happy when I was in his classroom. He truly knew how to make you feel special and understood. He had a way of knowing when you were having a bad day and taking extra care into making sure that you were okay. We were lucky to have had him as he truly changed my life for the better. Not often can a teacher touch so many lives, but he did at Rivers. No one is more worthy of praise, a great man through and through. I hope his wife and kids find comfort in how many lives he touched, as he truly was the glue which held Rivers together. A true inspiration, and a true friend.

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As someone who needed confidence and someone to believe in me throughout my experience at Rivers, Mr. McCartney came in at the right time. Anyone who knew him has not one bad thing to say about him, and I still am in awe when I think about his ability to instill confidence in every student. He was an amazing role model and the best support system. He didn't just care about what was happening inside the classroom, but he cared about every student's genuine wellbeing. I will never forget the impact he made on my time at Rivers and the Rivers community in general.

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I am and will continue to be grateful every single day that I had the opportunity to know and learn from Dan McCartney as a teacher, mentor, and friend. He was a one of a kind guy and I only hope he knew the impact his smile and genuine nature had on every person with whom he interacted. I only hope to emulate his kind spirit, positive energy, and zest for life in all that I do.

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An encouraging, caring, and dedicated teacher who was just as committed to learning something new himself each & every day. The testatments here capture a bit of his magic but it's in our hearts that he'll always be treasured. May we each seek to carry a a bit of Dan's spirit forward. That would make him smile. Sending warm regards to his family -- may they find comfort in the memories of so many that he touched.

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Mr. McCartney helped our son take math from concept to reality with real world business applications. He inspired him to pursue engineering in college which led him to a great career. He was one of the amazing Rivers teachers that helped our son chart the course of his life and we will be forever grateful.

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When I first started at Rivers, Dan helped a shy 6th grader find his way on the football field. Throughout my time, he was always around to provide advice and brainstorm ways to explore my interests. There was never a question that his only motivation was to help me be the best version of myself. I know I did not say it enough so, Thank You, Mr. McCartney!

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Five years later after graduating, knowing Mr. McCartney and having him as a teacher is and will always be one my best memories from Rivers. He always knew how to inspire me and is one of the main reasons I chose to pursue my major and career path. Words cannot begin to describe his lasting impact on my life. Rest easy Mr. McCartney and thank you for the amazing memories and impactful lessons you shared with me.

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Although we knew Dan a short time, we knew the moment we met him, he would be making an impact on our child.  He immediately impressed and inspired us with his enthusiasm and deep understanding of people, particularly teenagers.  He had a way of engaging and capturing your interest, you just wanted to have a conversation with him.  Dan was a one of a kind and we will remember him fondly.

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Mr. McCartney was by far the best math teacher I ever had. He was engaging and enthusiastic and we could always get him off topic by talking about business, specifically Dunkin Donuts vs Starbucks. What I will always remember and forever appreciate was his recognition that no one ever came to the girls field hockey games. He then took it upon himself to come to our games and make others know he was coming to our games. It meant so much to me that he wanted to be there, supporting us and letting us know that he thought what we did was valuable. He had such a powerful way of making me feel important.

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I had Mr. McCartney my freshman year for Geometry. I had always done well in Math, but had never had the encouragement to take a higher level course. Mr. McCartney not only taught me how to do math but also how to enjoy it. The following year he suggested I take honors to push myself even further. If it wasn't for his encouragement and teaching,  I wouldn't have majored in it in college. Math has been my favorite subject since then and that's all thanks to Mr. McCartney's teaching many years ago. He made me the student I am today, and I'm so grateful for that. He was the best Math teacher I've ever had.

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In addition to being an excellent teacher, Mr. McCartney was a course-setting influence in my life.  I'm an entrepreneur in part because of him.  A true inspiration and guide.

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I never was lucky enough to have Mr. McCartney as a teacher - I specifically remember every year looking for him to be on my schedule, and always being bummed out that I never had the pleasure to be in one of his classes. Despite this, I will always remember his special, welcoming, magnetizing presence and his big smile walking around the Rivers campus. Although I never had the opportunity to form a deep relationship with him, he always shared his light when he greeted me as we passed each other in the halls.

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Dan McCartney was a rare breed of teacher, individual, inspirer, and the list goes on... When our son started 9th grade at Rivers he was in Dan's Honors Math class, and we learned that he was having some difficulty at the first teacher/parent conference. Dan was willing to do whatever was necessary but wondered if our son might be better served in the regular math class. We were flexible as well but mentioned that math was our son's favorite subject. The minute Dan heard that he said that he wanted him to stay in the honors class and drop in to visit him once a week to stay on top of things. Well... our son ended up excelling in math at Rivers. As a junior he was asked to be a teacher's assistant, and to his delight he ultimately received a perfect score on his math SAT. Without Dan's encouragement and willingness to work with our son none of this would have happened. Rivers has lost a gem..

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Dan McCartney was a rare breed of teacher, individual, inspirer, and the list goes on... When our son started 9th grade at Rivers he was in Dan's Honors Math class, and we learned that he was having some difficulty at the first teacher/parent conference. Dan was willing to do whatever was necessary but wondered if our son might be better served in the regular math class. We were flexible as well but mentioned that math was our son's favorite subject. The minute Dan heard that he said that he wanted him to stay in the honors class and drop in to visit him once a week to stay on top of things. Well... our son ended up excelling in math at Rivers. As a junior he was asked to be a teacher's assistant, and to his delight he ultimately received a perfect score on his math SAT. Without Dan's encouragement and willingness to work with our son none of this would have happened. Rivers has lost a gem..

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My daughter would often talk about spending time in the math office. And she would talk about this amazing mentor, simply called DMac. When finally meeting him I then fully understood the impact he had on all his students, especially my daughter. His dedication to his students was why we knew Rivers was the best place for our daughter. She spent the day before the holiday break In the math office and she was concerned for him. He told her not to worry and that he would be back. Learning of his death was quite simply devastating. Rivers has lost more than a math professor, the heartbeat of the school beats slower without him. His impact and spirit will never be forgotten. Find the Good.

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Dan was the BEST person anybody could ever meet.  This photo was taken at our Wellfleet rental in the summer of 2018 after a round of golf.  He kept praising golf shots from Sarah and Jess which was typical of Dan.  He took attention away from himself to boost the confidence of others.  He was such an accomplished person in all facets of his life  which is a model for us to follow.  I only knew Dan for 6 years but feel like I was a friend of his for life.  That was the way Dan left his presence on all that he met.  RIP.  Will never forget you.  George Bargamian

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When I think of Mr. McCartney, I first think of his huge smile, the smile that accompanied us every day when we walked in the classroom, joked with us as he set up the projector with his trademark yellow type on black page problems, and answered question after questions patiently. One day after class, at the beginning of what I could already tell would be a particularly long day, I stayed afterwards to ask DMac for some advice. I had only known him for a few weeks, but I could already tell how wise he was. I felt so lost and somehow after a five minute chat, I gathered up all my lost thoughts, which had seemed like a huge puzzle, and just put them back together. He could do that. He was special like that. I think about our weekly meetings every time I walk into the math office. I remember his insistence that really, no problems were as big as I made them seem in my head. I miss him everyday, and I aspire to be like him as a future educator.

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Dan saw the A in everyone - his students as well as their sometimes overzealous parents.

My kids were so much the better for having known him and been mentored by him.

He gave them confidence when they were uncertain, comfort when they were concerned, and acknowledgement when they earned it.

He was deeply inspiring, energizing, and the truest embodiment of a teacher.

To me he was a friend, a sideline supporter, an entrepreneur, and proud father. Dan, your impact was unparalleled, and your absence profound.
We all miss you...

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DMac,
I can’t believe it’s been a year without you. I still remember meeting you during 7th grade football and instantly knowing that you’d be such an influential person during my Rivers experience. Even though I may not remember your pre calc and Calc 1 teachings, I have not forgotten to find the good in every situation. You taught me that while school is important, it is even more essential to be a good person. I don’t even know what my time at rivers would have been like without you. The amount of times I stopped by to ask a calc question, which then turned into a conversation about life was too many to count. As Russ would say you truly are the best and we miss you and your presence everyday. Rest in power DMac.
BCJ

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Our 3 kids knew exactly who Mr. McCartney was from the first day of school at Rivers. He was always there with a friendly greeting and a check-in to see how they were doing. They knew he was watching over them, in a good way. Perhaps he still is. With love from the Thomajan family.

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The last time I saw Mr. McCartney, I was running all over the place, and he took the time to make me feel so special and important to him...he was present in our moment, as he was in every conversation I had with him or heard him have with another student or colleague or parent or friend.  He looked me in the eyes, and said, When interviewing him during a project, I heard him talk about the importance of getting to know students as people, full people.  I had a friend whose main reason for staying at Rivers when thinking about leaving was because of the impact he had had on that student...there is a reason that some students would come back to Rivers with the sole mission of finding and talking to Mr. McCartney.

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The last time I saw Mr. McCartney, I was running all over the place, and he took the time to make me feel so special and important to him...he was present in our moment, as he was in every conversation I had with him or heard him have with another student or colleague or parent or friend.  He looked me in the eyes, and said, When interviewing him during a project, I heard him talk about the importance of getting to know students as people, full people.  I had a friend whose main reason for staying at Rivers when thinking about leaving was because of the impact he had had on that student...there is a reason that some students would come back to Rivers with the sole mission of finding and talking to Mr. McCartney.

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DMac is the guy you want comforting you when you're grieving over DMac's death. Funny how that works.

A year ago today, Rivers lost it's heartbeat, its students and teachers alike lost their role model and best friend, and the world lost their best candidate for the World's Greatest Dad Award.

He's the voice of reason you need through all this Covid chaos, one that would lead us to sanity simply through some Calculus group work. (Though it was never about the math, was it?)

Mr. McCartney, thank you for inspiring us all. Each day I strive to make you proud, and above all, to find the good in this crazy world. I miss you.

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I had Mr. McCartney for pre-calc, and I almost dropped down to regular from advanced originally. The only reason I stayed was because Mr. McCartney had faith that I could handle the class. He was genuinely one of the best teachers I’ve ever had and made me feel known as a person, whether it was asking me about field hockey or just how my day had been. He cared selflessly for everyone he met.

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Where to begin? I was lucky enough to have Mr.McCartney as my math teacher for two years. However, he taught me so much more than that. He taught me to learn from my mistakes, to truly love those who I surround myself with, and to make the most out of life. There was never a time where he wasn’t positive and optimistic, no matter what he was going through. He continually put others before himself and would make time in his constantly busy schedule for any student who asked. I’ll never forget the countless hours I spent in the math office at his desk learning or simply just talking about life. His sheer intelligence, humble nature, and heart never failed to amaze me. Mr. McCartney’s unwavering support for his students extended way outside the classroom. You could almost always catch him at whichever game was going on, cheering on the sideline. He was the heart of Rivers and his presence there will never be forgotten. Until we meet again, Rest In Peace.

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How great it was knowing Dan in my roles as a parent, a trustee and President of The Board!  

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How great it was knowing Dan in my roles as a parent, a trustee and President of The Board!  

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Once I forgot a pencil the day we had a test, and he gave me his favorite red grading pen. I ended up doing extremely well on that test, and he insisted I keep it and take every test after that with this pen. He was one of the most selfless people I have ever met and believed in me like no one has before. Miss you Mr McCartney❤️

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I will never forget how Mr. McCartney showed up for me after my Dad died.  In fact, Mr. McCartney insisted on having coffee together every morning to chat, check-in, and make sure I was okay. Looking back on our chats over coffee, I am forever grateful.  Mr. McCartney showed up for me when I needed it the most.  Mr. McCartney’s life purpose was showing up BIG for everyone.
I am a teacher today and I aspire to be Mr. McCartney- I miss his passion, his kindness, and his energy every single day.  

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He never failed to make every new and returning students feel welcomed no matter if you took his class or not. An amazing teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, and man. He will be forever missed and always remembered.

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I’ll never forget how when anyone came in the room it made him smile, he loved to be around anyone and everyone and made you feel incredibly welcome.

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During mini-school or a parent/teacher conference, I distinctly remember Dan saying this! So this was the teacher Christian was raving about! Math became a subject and class to look forward to, not a class to dread. Dan also took a personal interest in steering Christian's college search, writing a sincere and heartfelt recommendation to accompany his application for early acceptance to Tufts University, his own alma mater. Dan was a kind and wonderful human being and impacted our family in a deep and profound ways.

The Schoen Family ('17)

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I never had the pleasure of taking Mr. McCartney's class, but I respected him tremendously, holding him in mind as a role model of a life well lived. I am now a Math teacher myself, and reflect back on Mr. McCartney and the rest of my Rivers Math teachers.

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I never had the pleasure of taking Mr. McCartney's class, but I respected him tremendously, holding him in mind as a role model of a life well lived. I am now a Math teacher myself, and reflect back on Mr. McCartney and the rest of my Rivers Math teachers.

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It goes without saying, you lit up every room you walked in.  You will be remembered as my favorite teacher because you taught me things that stretched far beyond the classroom walls.  Your unwavering kindness, warm smile, and compassion was made known to everyone that had the blessing of meeting you.  Until we meet again, you will always remind me to Find The Good in life.  God Bless you DMac.

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Mr. McCartney helped me through some of the toughest years of my life. He was my advisor and pre-calc teacher, and I always looked forward to this advisory and class time as they were always a bright spots in my day. Mr. McCartney created an environment in which everyone could truly be themselves amd enjoy each others’ company. Of course he taught us the subject matter, but his top priority was making sure we were happy and making memories together. In advisory this meant just letting us talk among ourselves and letting the conversation flow wherever. It also meant having regular ice cream Fridays in advisory, where members of other advisories would come flocking to Mr. McCartney’s, just because they wanted to spend time with him as he had such a positive energy that everyone wanted to be around. It meant getting each advisory member a cake for their birthday (my birthday is early in the year, but even though it was only our second advisory meeting my junior year, he didn’t forget. It made my birthday) and making sure everyone felt important. In pre-calc, it meant grinding and getting the work done, but always making sure there was room for some fun. Below is the “Mannequin Challenge” (a popular 2016 trend) that Mr. McCartney let us create during classtime. It is one of my favorite Rivers memories. Mr. McCartney brought so much happienss and positivity to my life, and to everyone in the Rivers community. I am so grateful for the impact that he has made on my life.

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Mr. McCartney was one of the few people that made me enjoy going to Rivers everyday. He was such an accepting, outgoing and caring person and teacher. He always made sure that I felt confident in my academics but also in my social life at Rivers. Mr. McCartney was always smiling, so anytime I entered his classroom I entered with a smile too. I looked up to him because I could never understand how one person could ALWAYS have a positive attitude. Anyone who knew him knew how much he cared about Rivers and his students. It saddens me that so many students that attend Rivers will not be able to witness his energy. He believed in me and there was never a moment that I doubted that. I am so glad that I got to share my high school experience with McCartney and I owe so much to him so thank you. -Gianny Cepeda, 2018

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I feel extraordinarily lucky to have been taught by one of River's best, Mr. McCartney. I will never forget his ability to tear down the walls between student and teacher, and make everyone he came in contact with feel empowered, capable, and enough. His optimism, laugh, and humility were contagious and made the Rivers campus a wonderful place to be. I will cherish the memories I made in his classroom forever.

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I first met Dan when we toured Rivers and had the privilege of sitting in on his class. That was it. Even as a Bel Hill alum, I was sold on Rivers, all from Dan. If this is what the teacher's are like....I thought. Fast forward to Bret's junior year, where he had the actual privilege of not only being taught Calc AB by Dan, but developing a special bond with him, which seemed special and was, as I later learned, for so so many students. Bret was dealing with some health issues at the time, and Dan, like no other, picked him up, understood him, taught him, and was a mentor to him, carrying him through some hard times. It was a no brainer for Dan to write Bret's college rec, which he did, so heartfelt and personal. We often look back and remember those teacher's that had a profound impact on our own lives and those of our children. So many teachers at Rivers meet that criteria, but Dan was at the top of that mountain. We will never forget him, and as I always say to Bret, do as Dan did and life will go well.

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I remember him saying that, more than once. It was a special way of making students feel that their teacher was on their side.

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Every day that Dan greeted you he made you feel important, vibrant and worthy. Regardless of what was happening in his own life or workday, he would stop everything to listen and give his good counsel to whomever needed it. He always made the time for others. He is sorely missed. 

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I can still see his smile.
I can still hear his laugh.
I can still feel his presence.
God bless you Dan.

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I had the privilege of attending POCC with Dan a couple of years ago, which took place in Nashville. Every night, Dan excitedly brought us  to his favorite places where his daughter had previously taken him.  Line dancing was of course his idea and not surprisingly, he was the one who brought people onto the dance floor.

We had several good conversations afterwards about what we learned and heard at the conference and also back at Rivers.  Dan was a mentor to and a source of wisdom for so many, but he was also receptive to feedback.  He was committed to personal growth and to making Rivers a better place for everyone.

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“At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
I miss the sound of his laugh in the mornings when I got coffee. I miss hearing how much the kids who knew him loved him.  I miss him on the sidelines of games cheering and yucking it up. I miss his curiosity about what I and everyone else were thinking.
His big heart made everything seem so natural, but Angela made a point to tell me that he worked much harder than most people thought.  He worked so hard and did so much good.
His sister said it best, "Our best days were with you."

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While there are many things I could share here about what made Dan so special to me, I want to highlight how he always took the time to listen. Whether it was spending an hour with me after school to talk through the x's and o's of buying a house, discussing how he ran his businesses, or strategizing how I could improve an assignment, he always took the time to talk and listen. I am sure he had other things to do, but I never got the sense he had to rush off. The patience, insights, and thoughtfulness he shared during these times always helped me grow as a person, teacher, and mentor. I can no longer count how many times I’ve told myself over the  past year, “Gosh, I wish I could pick Dan’s brain about this.”  Dan, thank you for everything. I miss you.

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I could say that Dan made me smile but Dan made me laugh…really and truly laugh from deep down within. I can still see him on that stage in Kraft lip syncing to some old Rock and Roll song with his short sleeves rolled up and a boom box on his shoulder, banging his head while the kids roared.  He lived life to the fullest and brought everyone along for the ride. I loved his humor but I loved his spirit too…it was infectious and enveloped everyone around him.  He was simply the best…

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I could say that Dan made me smile but Dan made me laugh…really and truly laugh from deep down within. I can still see him on that stage in Kraft lip syncing to some old Rock and Roll song with his short sleeves rolled up and a boom box on his shoulder, banging his head while the kids roared.  He lived life to the fullest and brought everyone along for the ride. I loved his humor but I loved his spirit too…it was infectious and enveloped everyone around him.  He was simply the best…

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Dan connected with EVERY sort of kid and he was able to motivate that kid to care about the things that mattered – including those things which that kid had previously thought were lame!

Dan was interested in all aspects of life at Rivers. Being a coach, a huge supporter of athletics on the Rivers sidelines, a college football player, and a regular personality in the Rivers weight room, one might mistakenly presume he was all about the sports. And he loved sports, no doubt about it. 

HOWEVER, as we all know, he was not only an athlete. After a meeting of the faculty’s Critical Conversations group one Thursday night which he and I attended, he and I spent over an hour in the Rivers parking lot talking about how to get more Rivers students engaged in discussions about diversity, and race, and differences. He was a true Renaissance man, interested in ALL aspects of teaching kids and interested in all aspects of CHARACTER: in the classroom, on the field, and in all of one’s interactions with other humans.

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Dan had an incredible way of making every single person he interacted with (students and teachers alike) feel special and believe in themselves beyond what they ever thought possible.  This is certainly true for me, and I know I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today had I not had the support and friendship of Dan.  There is truly nobody like Dan, and I feel so lucky to have known him and learned from him.  In my first few months without Dan at Rivers, I felt like there was a huge hole missing.  What I’ve come to realize is that Dan’s impact was so far reaching and lasting, that we’ll really never be without him.  And yet, we’ll miss him every day.  The best.

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Dan was uniquely able to be both professionally focused and completely fun. I so miss the boyish giggles, the banter, the impromptu conversations that always ended in peals of laughter. He was a relentlessly positive force on campus, interested in everything and everyone, curious, engaged, and fully present in the moment, whatever it looked like…All of which has made his absence so enormous.

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Dan hired me in the spring of 2015. The Head of MS (Susie) was getting annoyed that they didn't have a replacement math teacher yet, but he promised to find someone good even late in the hiring game. He was so proud that he "found me" and he reminded me of that every chance he got. I'll never forget touring the Rivers campus with Dan and smiling so much that my face hurt by day's end. Dan made me, and everyone on campus, feel like an asset to the community. He was such a kind soul and inspiring mentor. I was so proud to work for him and I'm so glad he "found me".

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Although I didn't know Dan very long, he created a lasting impression on me when he mentored me as a first year Rivers teacher. I feel fortunate that I got to learn from him and wish nothing but the best for his friends and family.

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Line dancing with colleagues in Nashville. POCC 2018.

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Line dancing with colleagues in Nashville. POCC 2018.

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When I started at Rivers in 2015,  Dan went out of his way to make me feel welcome as a new administrator. Whenever I saw him, he greeted me with a huge smile and he knew how to make me laugh (hard!). He always encouraged me and helped me feel like Rivers was home. I will never forget how he made me feel, especially in those early days, and I promise to do everything I can to pay that forward to future generations of Rivers faculty and staff members. Thank you Dan, for showing us how to Find the Good. You are missed.

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Dan seemed to create a team atmosphere effortlessly whether he was working with colleagues or leading students in class.  I still have to pinch myself that we lost him so abruptly.   He gave everyone the feeling that he was in their corner and he is missed very much.

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Dan was so much more than a colleague to me. We spoke every morning when he came in for coffee. Even on my busiest days, he'd convince me to stop and chat for a minute (which usually turned into at least 15 minutes) but it was always worth the extra work I had to put in to catch up. He made my bad days good and my good days better. I miss our chats about nonsense (it was all nonsense if you asked him), or what was for lunch, or the life advice which seemed to come so easily from him. I think about him every morning during those extra couple minutes that used to belong to him.

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Dan always made time for a student who needed him, whether to explain a tough concept or to listen to what was happening in that student’s life. Usually, he had plans to use that time – correcting, preparing or creating new materials. When a student arrived, Dan pushed that work aside, looked the student in the eye and said, “How can I help you?” 

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I always teased him that you could take the boy out of Medford, but couldn't take the Medford out of the boy. He was great for real world advice or a funny one-liner-whatever the situation called for. Consistently even-keeled and respected. We had started a tradition of  going to  numerous HS sporting events together. Shared many laughs over the years. Thank you my friend. All the best!

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There are few people more generous with their time, attention, advice, and care than Dan. He never hesitated to stop whatever he was doing, sit down, and listen, laugh, and chat with whoever it was who happened to encounter him. This was true for students as equally as it was for faculty and staff. He was so full of energy, and he touched so many lives. We are all sad that he's been taken from us prematurely, be we also celebrate the impact he had, and the years we were blessed to have him as part of our community. Rest in peace, Dan!

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Dan forever possessed the quality that anyone can admire - he loved his job and made sure everyone knew and felt it. He is the reason I came to Rivers, but more importantly, he's the reason I love working here. The number of people that Dan lives on through is immeasurable and can be seen as we currently work through an immense challenge. The care, joy, laughter, and love of Rivers remains, and I am so thankful that Dan gave me, and so many others, the outlook and ability to love what we do. I miss you so much and want you to know that you are the greatest gift that Rivers ever has received.

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I am reminded of Dan and all he gave to Rivers at every turn. In the dining hall in particular, visions of Dan chatting with students, staff and fellow teachers, and always making them laugh, often flash through my mind. Dan was the best colleague, teacher and friend ~ always positive and encouraging while dispensing great advice to students and faculty alike.  Dan took the time to real see and know people, and in doing so he helped make our community stronger and closer.  I really miss Dan and all the joy he brought to all of us.

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There is so much to say about Dan and the huge loss we suffered with his passing.  But the word that comes most to mind is "huge."   No, I don't mean his physical size.  Dan had a huge heart, smile,  laugh, and presence.  He was kind and generous in so many ways and I never left any encounter with him without a smile on my face.  He was easy to tease, he responded with whole-hearted laughter, and he could and would give it back without hesitation. I wasn't part of his inner circle, but I could always speak candidly with him and go to him for advice, which he was always willing to give.  And it was always good advice.  He was a natural leader with a magnetic personality and he is dearly missed.

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My son arrived at Rivers as a repeat sophomore and immediately discovered that his previous math classes had not prepared him for the rigor of the advanced math classes here. "I got this," Dan assured us. "He's going to be succeeding in that advanced math class soon enough." Over the next 4 months, Dan gave my son extra time during lunches, twice a week, to review information he didn't have under his belt. It wasn't "free;" Dan insisted my son "had to hold up his end and do the extra work each week," but promised my son that he was there with him, in his corner, to get him through so long as my son held up his end. By December, he was right on pace with everyone else in the class and went on to do well the rest of his math career at Rivers. Most importantly, he learned the value of hard work, the connection between what you put in and what you get out of any endeavor; and he learned the value of a devoted mentor. The experience changed my son's approach to school and his teachers, generally, and eased a transition that was often difficult and uncertain. Knowing Dan was in his corner got him through the tough spots and solidified his place here. My entire family will be forever grateful to Dan for all he did for our son, and our son still points to it to this day as a turning point for him.

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As the memory of his tragic death slowly fades with time, life gets a little easier, but it will certainly never be the same.  He was so much more than just a colleague to me.  He was certainly a beloved friend -- at times I thought of him as a brother, while at other times he acted as more of a father. He had an unparalleled ability to connect with anyone and everyone he encountered. He was a favorite teacher to so many students.  He was even a favorite teacher to students he never even taught.  We will proudly carry on I LOVE MATH day in his honor, complete with pencils and balloons.  He taught me that teaching is not about the math.  It's about the connections made and the relationships formed.  No one did it better than Dan. I always tell myself - I can never be Dan. But I can try my best to "be like Dan."

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Photos of Dan from the Rivers Archives. Posted by David Burzillo

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Dan was the person who made Rivers my home and the math department my family - I miss him every day. I admired Dan for many reasons but most of all for his ability to listen, really listen, to each person he talked to throughout his day - and he talked to everyone! He brought out the best in his students and in his colleagues, recognizing things in us that we had yet to recognize in ourselves. Remembering his kindness and warmth inspires me to be a better teacher and human. Miss you, Dan. 

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Dan was the person who made Rivers my home and the math department my family - I miss him every day. I admired Dan for many reasons but most of all for his ability to listen, really listen, to each person he talked to throughout his day - and he talked to everyone! He brought out the best in his students and in his colleagues, recognizing things in us that we had yet to recognize in ourselves. Remembering his kindness and warmth inspires me to be a better teacher and human. Miss you, Dan. 

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I miss Dan. A lot. I worked with him as a fellow department chair for many years and he taught me so much about leadership, compassion, listening and laughter. Being greeted by Dan was like having the sun rain down on your face and experiencing a true moment of happiness in the day. His warmth and kindness always made people feel better and he encouraged the best in people. After we switched to our new block schedule, Dan and I went on the speaking tour to neighboring schools to talk about what we had learned and how are departments had grown because of these changes in our day. He always spoke with such conviction about the experiences of his teachers and students and was fully present in taking questions and giving such thoughtful answers, I always felt so proud to be with him in these moments. I carry his lessons and advice around with me in all that I do.

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Dan was a treasured colleague and friend, and I miss him tremendously. Through a (wild and strange) year without him, there have been many moments in which I have noticed the ways in which Dan was an inherent, organic part of my Rivers life--organizing refreshments after opening faculty meetings; getting together for golf in the summertime; somehow being a fixture at the lunch table, cup of soup in hand, no matter what time I was eating; calling me on the phone to debrief an important meeting. As a classroom teacher, Dan had the ability to bring out the best in all of his students, regardless of ability, interest level, or background (and he did the same as a mentor to colleagues). It's a quality that every educator strives towards but few achieve as consistently and thoroughly as Dan did. He will forever remain an inspiration to me.

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Dan was a treasured colleague and friend, and I miss him tremendously. Through a (wild and strange) year without him, there have been many moments in which I have noticed the ways in which Dan was an inherent, organic part of my Rivers life--organizing refreshments after opening faculty meetings; getting together for golf in the summertime; somehow being a fixture at the lunch table, cup of soup in hand, no matter what time I was eating; calling me on the phone to debrief an important meeting. As a classroom teacher, Dan had the ability to bring out the best in all of his students, regardless of ability, interest level, or background (and he did the same as a mentor to colleagues). It's a quality that every educator strives towards but few achieve as consistently and thoroughly as Dan did. He will forever remain an inspiration to me.

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Dan, Doc and myself watching the girls FH championship game in 2019.

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Dan, Doc and myself watching the girls FH championship game in 2019.

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Dan is the reason that I came to Rivers to work. As I was looking for my next nonprofit opportunity, he kept encouraging me to think about Rivers. Every time I saw him on the side of a sports field, he talked to me about the family that Rivers is and the community that I would be a part of. He loved coming to "work" everyday and his excitement for the students and for his colleagues was a singular selling point. I work here now because of Dan.

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Watching Dan teach was like getting a Masters in Education. He knew how to set the bar high and convince students that they could reach it, and he taught students to love learning in the process. 
As a mentor, Dan did the same. He gave us confidence that we were great, while pushing us to always be better.  Best of all, he made work fun. He was never too busy to chat, to listen, too joke or to dry tears. I miss you every day, Boss!

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When Julia first started studying math under Dan's tutelage, she didn't see herself as a math student--at all. She was a writer. But Dan transformed her thinking. He continually told her what strong work she was doing. He stoked her enthusiasm by raving about her lengthy, color-coded study guides. He made her feel important, smart, and worthy of being considered a math kid. His teaching and his engaging personality helped her to love math and enjoy learning.

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Artwork by Cailin Cobey' 21